Beyond "Ordinary" Embroidery........
lula
Russian folk art Father Frost in swirling snow, I've been rethinking the
project all over again and wondering why my enthusiasm for this project
was starting to wane recently.........
It was while I was looking through various embroidery books for
different types of stitches when I got to thinking why do I have to use
any of these stitches? Why can't I just stitch what ever way I please to
cover and create the textures I want to express the feeling I want?
Even with doing something like this I doubt if I'd come up with anything
original in the way of creating "new" stitches......I don't believe
there's much "new" under the sun in the way of stitching that someone
somewhere hasn't done already!
I've noticed from looking at many stitches and the variations of these
stitches used by other cultures, the main purpose of whoever is
stitching is applying thread in a decorative way to cover the ground
fabric.
Most culture use similar "basic" stitches with variations......it's
these variations that sets up unique stitching identities.
Through time and trade, stitches continue to evolve from culture to
culture.........I'm writing in general terms but it's not hard to
imagine how stitches can change from place to place through the years
for whatever reasons that might have to do with local customs, styles
and materials.
Thinking about creating an embroidery this way will allow me the freedom
to be as artistic as I please without worry about "technical"
perfection.
I have nothing against learning techniques and being able to reproduce
stitches with perfect proficiency.........that is another type of
stitching from what I want to create..........each has its own
place.......and most importantly, at a certain level, neither type of
stitching is better than the other.......overall the stitching should be
appropriate and well done.
Another great interest in doing embroidery in a creative way is being
able to embellish the stitchery with all sorts of fun odd and ends
that'll enhance the image, similar to crazy quilting techniques but not
exactly the same since I won't be or at least I don't have plans to use
odd shaped patches and a lot of decorative stitched edges at this point
but I'd like to adapt some of the crazy quilt ideas for my embroidered
illustration.
Have any of you seen the magazine Quilting Arts? It's a beautifully
presented mag with gorgeous pictures of artistic stitching used to
create the many unique stitched objects shown in the glossy bi-monthly
mag......wallhangings, shrines, art clothing, quilts, my favorites, the
art dolls and stitched books and so on.
Looking through Quilting Arts magazine really impresses and amazes how
artistically original one can be using needle and thread.
Stitching on these pages turns into mixed media art or collage art.
Looking through these inspirational pages the last few years has
inspired many ideas on how I'd like to stitch new ideas and collage art
where I'm headed.......all this is exciting being able to use needlework
as even more expressive medium than just laying stitches on a flat
ground.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
anne
> different types of stitches when I got to thinking why do I have to use
> any of these stitches? Why can't I just stitch what ever way I please to
> cover and create the textures I want to express the feeling I want?
Welcome to my world ;-)
I will never win any awards because I'm a very sloppy, somewhat lazy, and very
frugal stitcher. After getting bored with crewel and 'regular' embroidery kits,
I bought a bunch of stitching how to books to increase my repertoire and to get
some design ideas. In the process, I learned that I don't like the look of
'open' fills for most things and thanks to a sggestion by Dianne, I've been
experimenting with couching.
My WIP is Alma Lynn'es Matilda Mallstomper which talks to me because I love to
'window' shop. It's a cross stich design that I digitized to create a traceable
pattern for crewel/embroidery. Initially, I did her pants in a light pink wool
but didn't like the 'country' look of the wool so I ripped it out and replaced
it with white floss using a split stich.
On the design, her bags are filled with kids' toys which I dutifully traced on
to the fabric but which just didn't feel like shopaholic me ;-) I decided that
I'm going to replace those toys and have been haunting the scrapbooking/card
aisles at the craft stores for appropriately sized 3D stuff. So far, I've
settled on some flip flops (I love shoes!), raggedy anne and andy, and driedls.
I'm planning on making a slit in the fabric to slip the embellishments in to so
they look like they're in the shopping bags. I also picked up money stickers
that I will sprinkle randomly on the finished design and small 'glass' thingies
(butterflies, flowers, stars) that'll be used for hair and shoe ornaments.
If this works, next project is modifying Clementine Clothcollector chart.
Instead of 'whoever has the most cloth wins', I'm thinking about "have credit
card, will travel", replacing the designer's bolts of cloth with something
travel related and peppering the background with stickers of recognizable
tourist attractions like the Empire State Building, London Bridge, airplanes,
trains, boats and/or place names that I've visited or would like to visit.
--
another Anne, add ingers to frugalf to reply
Linda Wright
I think your ideas sound wonderful! I use mixed mediums a lot (paint,
beads, fabric - all on one piece!) and have loved the results. The
main thing is for YOU to enjoy it!
Linda
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
I hope that the colored enlarged photos of some of my Embroidered
works has inspired or at least encouraged you in some of your new way
of thinking
Lucky happy new embroidery .
mirjam
some of your thoughts . On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 03:49:06 -0500, lula
Janet M. Davies
most of all have fun with it all.
I have some tutorials in my website you might like to look at.
Design a stitching good day,
Janet
http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz
http://www.masterstitch.co.uk
Get the JMD Newsletter:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jmdnewsletter/
lula
Your textile works are indeed an inspiration to me......I've admired
your work very much and even more so knowing the less than peaceful
conditions you live and work with daily.
On your recent gallery showing of your textile work I like the use of
many different stitches along with the particular color choices you
chose to create textures and differentiate areas......I could feel the
dry desert and terrain..............these embroidery stitches gives an
organic quality to the your "aerial maps".
The look and feel of your piece wouldn't have been as successful if you
had, let's say, painted in the details.....the three dimensional
stitching, the addition of "found" objects of different types of beads
and buttons you added to the piece as well as the various pieces of
textiles such as netting all adds up to a piece of art that evokes
emotional responses from the viewer.
The amazing thing is, I wasn't thinking in these creative terms when I
first saw the detail pictures you sent. My mind somehow wasn't equating
what you embroidered as similar to my ideas of "crazy quilt" techniques.
I wasn't quite thinking along these creative lines only a short few
months ago! My mind was too busy to fully absorb what you sent.
But now, I can fully appreciate what you've done! It took awhile for me
to "SEE" and feel your creative approach.
Sometimes we are too locked into our own small worlds and not "SEE" or
understand what we are seeing until we let our thoughts begin to wander
along creative trails and become more receptive to other ideas.
That's why I've always thought it important to keep open minds and learn
as much as we can about the world around us.
Being a good artist isn't only about how technically good we are at our
"craft".......it's only with knowledge and understanding can artists
create art that stops others to look and think.
Thanks Mirjam for giving me a new perspective and creative push!!!
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
lula
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful creative ideas!!! I loved
reading what you've done and it makes me want to rush off and "play"
with all my goodies!!! You're doing exactly what I'm after........
That's the whole point about doing needlework or any creative project
that we don't have to strictly follow what a designer has laid out.
Most designers I know including myself, love to see variations and even
complete changes of our work.........it makes us feel good that
individuals love our ideas and even more, inspire us in turn.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
lula
Exactly my feelings too......the most important thing about a project is
that we enjoy what we are doing and also not be afraid to substitute or
change details to suit our own tastes.
Mixed media needlework, needlework collage!
I love the excitement of being able to create using whatever techniques
that will enhance and create the look and feel I'm after using
needlework as the base.
I'd love to see samples of your work along with Anne and anyone else
having fun with mixed media needlework.
--
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
lula
Thanks for the links......I'll be happy to take a look later in the day!
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Dianne Lewandowski
been trying to hunt up the graphic since you posted yesterday.
Absolutely stitched "differently". The designer just did what was
needed to create the effect she wanted.
I noticed in Chung's book on Asian needlework, that some of the stitches
look "silly" by themselves, but grouped in an area, create unique looks.
I wish I was more brave!! The Australian's seem to have more spirit
when it comes to, "I don't care what traditionalists think, I'm doing it
THIS way!".
Dianne
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
I am so happy to have been of some `art talk` with you . I am just
now, preparing a lecture over my art and am in some kind of fright
,,,it feels a bit as if one is asked to` lift one skirts so they can
see how your feet hold you` ....
but it made me realize, that i have my own symbol language, that i
demand my work to `Shout` it`s messages , That i look around me and
use my techniques as working materials ,,, I brood long over works and
they take long to be born ,,,I listen ti my materials ,, and i do not
care to the "You should , or you should not laws" , in working the law
is What is the result ,,,
Yes you are right the desert is there in my work , and the changing
weather and the people and the moods , and my history is there, and
hopes and love for the future ,,, Of course you can create your own ,,
where your ancestors will whisper in your ears, and lead your hand, to
make the `Lula works` ....
best of luck ,, thank you for understanding ,
mirjam
On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 14:26:39 -0500, lula <wooly...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
lula
You have many beautiful examples of historical embroidery techniques, a
real treat to see along with the helpful info on your site for stitchers
looking for historical embroidery references.
I'm impressed by all your stitched samples!
Thanks for pointing out your site to me......I really like seeing what
other designers and creative folks are doing.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
lula
I'd say this is how needlework evolves and moves on to fit the times by
creative stitchers who will go off on their own tangents looking to
create needlework to express what they they feel.
The materials available and the attitudes of a time will influence what
is created. It's my opinion that our times fosters creativity in a way
not known before because of the freedom of choices we have and the wide
range of materials now available to use, that we no longer have one
dominant school of needlework design to follow.
Tradition will always have it's place as we build on the foundations
that came before us. Each generation will add whatever worthwhile
techniques to this foundation not to mention being able to readily
access information from other sources around the world at an instant via
the WWW, television and the huge variety of books and mags we can
acquire.
Speaking for myself........I've always wanted do paint and do all types
of creative activities in different ways......guess I was born a
"designer" as I've always had the urge to change things and that
encompasses all parts of my life. I literally live and breathe to
create. So it's easy for me to pick up and do something different.
The good thing is, this can be learned and done by anyone......you can
do this Dianne.......you are very capable of expressing any of your
stitching ideas creatively.....you definitely have the needlework skills
and as well as the desire to teach and inspire others.
Why not try a small design? YMake it your "sketch" piece.....you can be
as innovative as you like........as I posted earlier to Mirjam,
sometimes we need someone to give us that creative push!!! So here it
is......Happy Stitching!!!
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
emerald
"lula" <wooly...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:40556D...@earthlink.net...
>
> Have any of you seen the magazine Quilting Arts?
Ooh yes! I love this one.
And thank you for reminding me. It's very hard to get around here and I'd
been meaning to subscribe but forgot due to some family events.
emerald, currently with a head like a sieve
emerald
"anne" <fru...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.1abf9335...@news.comcast.giganews.com...
<snipped description of a wonderful project>
> If this works, next project is modifying Clementine Clothcollector chart.
> Instead of 'whoever has the most cloth wins', I'm thinking about "have
credit
> card, will travel", replacing the designer's bolts of cloth with something
> travel related and peppering the background with stickers of recognizable
> tourist attractions like the Empire State Building, London Bridge,
airplanes,
> trains, boats and/or place names that I've visited or would like to visit.
What a great idea!
You could perhaps replace the bolts of cloth with suitcases - the same
general shape.
Please keep us posted on the progress.
emerald
emerald
"Dianne Lewandowski" <dia...@heritageshoppe.com> wrote in message
news:c350u2$23oia7$2...@ID-164987.news.uni-berlin.de...
> About 7 years ago, I saw the most beautiful embroidered peacock. I've
> been trying to hunt up the graphic since you posted yesterday.
Last year at a small quilt show I saw a 3D peacock. The body of the peacock
was done in a standard applique technique. But, oh my, the tail........there
were layers of painstakingly applied fabric "feathers", complete with
iridescence.
What a treat to see.
emerald, feeling quite inspired by this discussion
Linda Wright
group at Yahoo!). If I ever find my bunny pics again, I'll post those
too. There is a piece with lots of tecniques!
Linda
Sally
If you look at a book of old stitchery - going back to say the
renaissance and work forward, you find the same stitches reinvented to
do what the stitcher wanted. So, have fun with your project. Decide
what colors look best and what you want to convey and go for it. That
is all that matters, don't worry what is "proper" - art is art and the
artist does what will produce the effect they want!
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
ability to express it in words as well ,,,, the ebb and flow of
creative expression changing with time and moods ,,,,
thank you
mirjam
On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 15:50:03 -0500, lula <wooly...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
Janet M. Davies
>
> You have many beautiful examples of historical embroidery techniques, a
> real treat to see along with the helpful info on your site for stitchers
> looking for historical embroidery references.
> I'm impressed by all your stitched samples!
> Lula
> http://www.woolydream.com
> Needlework Adventures
Thanks lula, I enjoy viewing your designs also. :)
lula
I'm looking forward to seeing your samples! Do you have a link? I'm not
familiar with RCTNP.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
lula
I agree, this is exactly the point and so true about looking at older
needlework books.
In fact, I have an excellent book bought for only a few dollars at a
used book store in mint condition.........The Stitches of Creative
Embroidery by Jacqueline Enthoven pub in 1987 in paperback......it's out
of print but I think is still available from used book sources.
It was this book that got me to thinking about this subject.
It's a wonderful book filled with loads of info about creative
embroidery stitch examples derived from many cultures.......lots of line
drawings and pictures of sample embroideries from around the world
illustrating the stitches.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
lula
just ordered this and issue #3. Can hardly wait to see these issues!
Linda Wright
Several other people have posted there as well.
Marjorie Holme
more than once with great observations and questions.
I love to try new things and this past weekend I organized a workshop
for my embroidery group by Laura Wasilowski of ArtFabrik
http://www.artfabrik.com/ Laura is a member of the Chicago School of
Fusing and has been featured in Quilting Arts (about a year ago). For
this workshop we fused wonder under to the back of some of Laura's
luscious hand-dyed fabric and then proceeded to play.
It was wonderfully freeing. We cut shapes directly from the fabric,
freehand, using scissors or rotary cutters, from the fusible-backed
fabric and then fused them to a background to make little quilts (the
workshop is on her website as tiny homes and gardens). We layered shape
upon shape to make our creations.
My first tiny quilt has minimal embroidery---I was reveling in the
colors of the fabrics. But my second quilt is going to be heavily
embroidered. Everyone in the class really and truly did their own
thing---the results were all wonderful and were all very different.
We're embroiderers---not quilters---if you segregate things into little
compartments. I personally have no inclination toward making a quilt.
But I love playing like this (ah, having a whole day just to
play!)---all of a sudden I'm seeing things a whole new way. I left the
class with ideas flying right and left and full of enthusiasm. Marjorie
lula
What a coicidence! I just happened to read the article you mention in a
back issue of Quilting Arts magazine featuring this group!
I kept wondering if this place The Chicago School of Fusing was for real
because of its unusual name!
Thanks for posting, I was so pleased to read your experiences and
thoughts with this group.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
clancy
another lady I've seen do something similar - she has a book called (I
think) Snippet Sensations. I don't think she does any embroidery on her
quilts, but she does do amazing stuff.
Sharon (N.B.)
............................................................................
..
"Marjorie Holme" <mho...@uchicago.edu> wrote in message
news:4058D2F3...@uchicago.edu...
lula
I know who you are writing about as I have the book Snippet Sensations,
but can't remember the author's name at this time. She now has a second
book out titled More Snippet Sensations.
The author uses an iron-on, fusible applique technique to apply many,
many small color scraps or "snippets" to create fabric "paintings" in an
impressionistic style.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
clancy
Saw her doing it on tv once and thought then how much fun it would be to
create my own scene, etc. I do have a wee bit of artistic talent so should
really try this ... hey it might give everyone a good laugh if nothing else.
:-) It would be a great way to use up scraps of fabric - and I sure have
lots of those.
Sharon (N.B.)
............................................................................
........
"lula" <wooly...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:405960...@earthlink.net...
Marjorie Holme
the bits made when you cut larger pieces (and recut them until you get
them right). Laura encouraged us to save every snippet of fused fabric
for future projects. Just make sure you have the pieces glue-side down
before pressing.
Oh, and you aren't just relegated to cotton fabrics---the fusibles will
work on cheesecloth, netting and other sheers in addition to any fabric,
ribbon or trim that can take the heat. And the pieces don't have to be
ironed down flat but you can wiggle and curve and shape and poof them as
you secure them down. Or cover them with a fused transparent fabric.....
And, just for the record, embroidering on this fused stuff isn't easy
and I can see why many artists focus on machine embroidery. A thimble
is a necessity as is one of those little rubber circles for needle
pulling---especially if you're going through multiple layers of fused
fabric. That said, I'm doing tons of hand embroidery on my second quilt
because I like the effect.
Marjorie
Dianne Lewandowski
clancy
using fusible - then maybe do a blanket stitch around objects on it so yes,
I know it can be very hard to embroider thru all those layers. I try to
find a very thin fusible when doing such things. I know quilts are being
made these days using fusible, but I just don't like that 'hardness' on
actual quilts .... wallhangings fine. That's just me tho' cuz I know more
and more quilters are going the fusible way. I'm really going to try this
soon to see what I can create. Have fun.
Sharon (N.B.)
............................................................................
...........
"Marjorie Holme" <mho...@uchicago.edu> wrote in message
news:405A153A...@uchicago.edu...
emerald
"clancy" <cla...@nb.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:uop6c.119595$IF6.4...@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Sounds like you're having a great time Marjorie. I have made wallhangings
> using fusible - then maybe do a blanket stitch around objects on it so
yes,
> I know it can be very hard to embroider thru all those layers. I try to
> find a very thin fusible when doing such things. I know quilts are being
> made these days using fusible, but I just don't like that 'hardness' on
> actual quilts .... wallhangings fine. That's just me tho' cuz I know more
> and more quilters are going the fusible way. I'm really going to try this
> soon to see what I can create. Have fun.
Sharon have you tried using the fusible only around the edge of your
applique? You trace the shape as usual, then cut out the centre so you're
left with a strip between 1/4 and 1/2" wide which you then fuse to your
fabric. It really makes the applique quite a bit softer.
hth,
emerald
lula
From what I've seen of your stitching projects posted on RCTNP, (the
photo area on Yahoo), you have loads of talent for stitching everything
that can be stitched with a needle!
I was very impressed by the all the different types of needlework you've
done Plus you quilt too........all this takes lots of talent and skills!
I'd love to see you create a fabric painting using all those "snippets"
of fabrics from your quilt projects........and whatever subject you
choose to to "paint", it'll come out looking great because you're a wiz
with anything needlework!
lula
fabrics! I forgot about how tough it is having to stitch through
multiple layers of fabric including the fusing material!
This means I'll have to plan accordingly to make adjustments as to
placement of stitches if I decide to design and embroider with fused
applique pieces.
A major plan of mine was designing applique and fusing these pieces to
create an interesting background fabric and then embroider designs on
top using all sorts of overdyes and threads with unique textures, such
as silk chenilles, all sorts of glittery, fuzzy threads and more of
same.......of course many of these heavier threads would be couched so
the fused layers wouldn't be an issue, but embroidering with pearl
cotton 8 or12 and other thinner type threads is a problem.
I've also planned to use machine embroidery for interesting effects on
top of the fused appliques but hand stitching is still unique and
creates it's own special effects that a sewing machine can't always do.
Blame it on too much enthusiasm for not thinking about practical
concerns when caught up in the fever of designing! This issue is even
more important being a professional designer where we have to write
clear instructions and make sure everything works as easy as possible!
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
lula
Majorie's about stitching through multiple layers of fused fabrics.
This sounds like a good workable solution and something I'd like to try
out when I get to fusing the appliques.
Thanks for posting and sharing your experience!
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
upon stiching ,, you might maybe work some layers separeately ,, like
let say there will be 5 layers all together , you might work whatever
part of 1/2 together and 3/ 4 together and only later combinre the lot
. i also find it useful to leave some `sides ` open , than `lift` it
with a pencil and that work inside as well ,,,, it all takes times
and thinking , and than my feelings tell me what to do ...
mirjam
On Fri, 19 Mar 2004 01:19:35 -0500, lula <wooly...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
lula
solution to stitching through fused applique layers!
I'm so glad to read these suggestions.........it's wonderful to learn
solutions before I need them.....this will save a lot of time and sore
fingers!
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
Just had another expeience .
I staerted a new work the background is a cotton cloth , divided into
[rather big] squares with the `borders between the squares being sort
of open mesh that can enable xst ,,, i wanted to use one of those
saquares as something and used the mesh , as embroidering a text of
course if bothsides enable a certain length , the third side has the
mesh on the side , si i had to work my letters very correctly to get
the same `feeling` ,,,, wa an interesting excercise of the mind , now
i can go on with my other parts , this work will have some layered
parts but not many ,,,
mirjam
On Fri, 19 Mar 2004 02:38:58 -0500, lula <wooly...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
clancy
certainly 'soften' up any fusibles done on an actual quilt. And THIS is
exactly why I read this ng - someone always comes up with a great idea.
Thanks - will try that method next time I'm using the stuff.
Sharon (N.B.)
............................................................................
...........
"emerald" <ejk...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:nav6c.856627$X%5.237076@pd7tw2no...
clancy
accomplished artist/needleworker as yourself. I have fun doing my 'stuff'
and that's what it should all be about. I'm definitely going to try to
'paint' something with fabric very soon - when I read the original post
from Marjorie - I remembered the Snippet Sensations book and all - I've
wanted to try my 'talent' on this particular medium for some time (you know
how life takes over sometimes) so I think the time has come. :-)
Sharon (N.B.)
............................................................................
...........
"lula" <wooly...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:405A88...@earthlink.net...
Dianne Lewandowski
again Sharon?
Dianne
Marjorie Holme
I began this weekend--I want to embroider some words around the edge on
the border and I think I will do the embroidery on the fabric before
fusing it to the background. It will take a little more planning but it
will make the embroidery much easier...and that led me to think about
doing some preliminary embroidery before the fusible is even applied to
the fabric...add the fusible, cut the piece and fuse it down and then
add some further embellishment. Marjorie
clancy
that my 'stuff' was put on that site and computer crashes, etc. happening -
I've lost the link ..... hellllllllllp Lula.
Sharon (N.B.)
............................................................................
......
"Dianne Lewandowski" <dia...@heritageshoppe.com> wrote in message
news:c3fj3p$25m85p$1...@ID-164987.news.uni-berlin.de...
lula
today but do believe the book is titled Snippet Sensations.....maybe
amazon might have the book listed?
The basic technique is fusing many, many small pieces of fabrics in
colors creating an impressionistic style to the fabric painting.
I think the author gives Monet as an inspiration and shows her
interpretation of Monet's painting style to fabric.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
lula
fusing.
I love your idea of using text as part of your embroidery design! It's a
great design element, especially for a border enclosing pictorial images
or color block designs.
Are you planning to make this in a whimsical style? If so, you'll have a
lot of freedom to choose what kind of font to use for your border text.
If the design is more formal, then there are the choices of elegant
scripts, using a cursive style and similar fonts and rich color
combinations.
One of my ideas for a design is to embroider a variety of font sizes
and styles and maybe even a variety of colors depending on the overall
design!
Decorative fonts are so much fun to play with for expressing moods and
styles!
Another favorite idea is to use text as a major design element enclosing
or crossing over pictorial sybjects as in a label format to form a frame
around parts of my pictorial images.....can be very dramatic or
whimsical or both and more.......
lula
Your new ideas sound great! The mesh borders will look good and perfect
for cross stitching.
What topic are you planning for this latest textile piece?
As I just posted to Majorie's post of her embroidering text on a border,
I love the use of text in design because it adds an interesting element
of sophistication and finishes off a design nicely pulling everything
together.
An idea that I've been wanting to do for ages is to embroider text in
"bubbles" above the heads of figures or along the side of the stitched
areas, similar to comic book art.......in the right type of design, this
would be so much fun to do and a way to add even more interest and
meaning to a needlework design.
As I like humorous designs, my text would be funny too.......but one can
be very dramatic and sohisticated with the use of appropriate colors and
fonts to embroider and express their message.
In my mind, to do this type of embroidery, my stitching would be "free",
that is, I would stitch stitches randomly going different directions as
well as fixed depending on what and how expressive I want the piece to
look and most fun of all, to embellish the piece with beads and things
to decoratively enhance the "message"!
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
know like the one that scratches our neck when we wear a new shirt ?
I wove a label for somebody `s exhibition . A colleague of mine was
invited to exhibit her art in her Birth city , And as the curator
there wastoo far to help and talk during the preparation year , she
asked me if i will help her . Thus i went to her house every 4-5
weeks and we discussed the various objects she made .She had an idea
about Export [=herself from there as a grown up artist] import of the
things she brough here + now wants to broing back to her old city , i
gave her the example of marko polo coming back to venice , bringing
tastes and smells ,,,,etc,,,, anyway she kept talking about labels
,thus i suggested she makes her own label saying ' Made By OLI` , she
hesitated thus i wove her a big label like this , and was a guest work
of mine in her exhibition .
mirjam
On Sun, 21 Mar 2004 00:41:30 -0500, lula <wooly...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
>Your new ideas sound great! The mesh borders will look good and perfect
>for cross stitching.
the mesh borders wil partly also symbolize the squares as plots.
>What topic are you planning for this latest textile piece?
I want to tell you about my subject , but it is one of my memorial
works and if i mention the name subject here some people tend to flame
me about it. But it is their problem not mine.
Now that i finnished 'Theresinsdat, Double Bookkeeping.` i am now
fdealing with my feelings and things i saw and felt and researched
about Westerbork ,,, i am not sure about the name of the work ,,,, i
think i have a name ,,,, the first thought i said last year , when i
stood in the little memorial room , and saw the shelf with the books
with the names list ,,,
As to incorporating texts in embroidery, For many generations Jewish
art was almost only made with letters , as the Thou shall not make any
image , was strongly embedded in the hearts. But generations od Jewish
women embroidered texts on Tora skirts, on Parochet , on Talit ,,,
many a times a memorial text ,,, thus i feel i follow in the footsteps
of mother grandmothers , when i embroider letters, Which i style after
a long 3 years research i made for my work with Hebrew sampler.
in my work i use dates names whole texts ,
sometimes the text is the work , not any other Form ...
in a work about pullotion with trees the tree is made of the text,,,,
rather humerous , takes people to realize the tree is a text form ...
mirjam
>
lula
That must have been some label you made for your friend's exhibition!
Nice to be so honored and have your work be included in the show!
In my case, no, it's not clothing labels I'm talking about but more the
pretty and decorative advertising labels one sees on canned or tinned
products......printed seed packets as another example.
I've been a fan of label designs from my earliest art student days
because I like the dramatic layouts and images......I love the
intergration of text and graphics within a decorative border.
Funny, how I started with the idea of doing a fairly basic embroidery
project using the image of Father Frost..........than got bored with
that idea and now after trading opinions with others about embroidery
design here on RCTN have come up with my new needlework
project...........
I've decided to stitch an over the top character and title my new piece,
More Bitch than Stitch..........why not go for a piece that will be
outrageously funny to work on filled with bright colors and fun details
that will make me laugh while I stitch! Hahaha, might even stitch a
border of "flames" for an even more exciting look.
This is just the exciting idea I've been searching for........also plan
to embroider text for commentary within the piece.
Now it's a matter of finding "free" time and deciding on what materials
to work with.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
<mir...@actcom.co.il> Mirjam Bruck-Cohen wrote:
>
> Lula ! when you say Label , do you mean like the clothes label ? you
> know like the one that scratches our neck when we wear a new shirt ?
> I wove a label for somebody `s exhibition . A colleague of mine was
> invited to exhibit her art in her Birth city , And as the curator
> there was too far to help and talk during the preparation year , she
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen
elaborate it and make ,,, [ you know like in those Cowboy films] A
white balloon for the good character a pink one for the females etc,,
a green one foe the jealous ones etc,,, might be hilarious ,,,
As to my colleagues Label , [ i really have top look for the picture ]
but when photographing it covered the back of the sofa,,,,
By the way after i wove it for her she duplicated many small ones and
used it for one of her works again, ..... This was a good co-operation
work. and i learned a lot about the creative process , about how and
when somebody can help and how much. I think my curator work , is a
great help at times and a hindrance at times for my own art ,,, as i
make my work , i think also , how will it hang ? or be layed , or how
will it combine with other works ,,, But i know that when i create
this should not be a factor. ....when i work with other artists it is
a help.
mirjam
lula
great idea to use different colors for the text "ballons", the colors
will serve a double purpose expressing emotions & feelings too.
You just helped me to see my new needlework design in another way as
well as adding a whole new artistic approach!
These text "ballons" can be made from fabrics in different colors and
even different textures using hand sewn or fused machine applique
techniques.
This is where I can stitch the text and then fuse the applique as
discussed earlier.
I've been involved in a couple of collaborative art projects my college
days that worked out very well. It's good to share ideas and get a
glimpse of other ways to accomplish goals and design.
In working with another, an open mind is most important especially when
your partner has a different outlook and ideas. We learn to cooperate
for the good of the project and understanding and respecting different
viewpoints.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Marjorie Holme
stitch print letters---the quilt is small and the border will be less
than 1/2". I love using letterforms and calligraphy in my work. It
opens a whole new realm of graphic imagry. I worked in graphic arts for
years and have actually set type by hand (I even got to try an old
linotype machine once). I love type fonts and calligraphy (I used to do
a lot of that too).
Have you seen Somerset Studio? It's a magazine for book and paper arts,
stamping, and it includes calligraphy and generally has a wonderful
alphabet art image (exempalary?) in each issue.
Have you seen some of the new (to me) French designers who are doing
calligraphic based cross stitch designs? I found them at Wyndham
Needlworks (http://www.wyndhamneedleworks.com/)and ordered one of the
hearts from Savoir-Faire Vailly (http://www.savoir-fairevailly.com). I
know there are other French designers doing similar lettered designs.
I saw an alphabet "sampler" from DMC recently, in an ad in an Australian
publication, that had some of the letters stitched on bits of cloth
(different count from the ground cloth) and attached in their proper
place. I really liked this idea...
This weekend I spent my free time knitting--the back of a vest using
really random yarns---lots of specialty yarns, all different weights. It
was like popcorn---I had to keep going to see what adding this color
next would do... Marjorie
Marjorie Holme
for patches for a shirt for my husband (zeppelins, airships,
dirigibles). It hasn't happened (he can't decide on the garment he wants
it done on) but printing the images was great. I used bubble jet and got
the instructions on line.
Basically, you buy high-thread count cotton, soak it in this bubble-jet
stuff, dry it, iron it onto Freezer paper and trim exactly to 8-1/2" x
11". Run through your pinter, set using bubble-jet set (and if I
remember ironing it) and it's permanent. I tried it with and without and
washed both and the bubble-jet stuff stayed, even though my ink-jet ink
is not at all water resistant.
Word has all sorts of call out shapes that you could add text to, color,
embellish. Think of the fonts you'd have available! (I love trolling the
Internet for free fonts to download!) Even if you wished to embroider
over the type, it's there and stable for you to used to guide your
stitches. Marjoire
lula
Calligraphy was another word I was thinking about when you mentioned
embroidering text to your quilt border.
My experience with calligraphy was through Chinese school and my parents
showing me how to hold a brush and paint characters properly.
Thanks to these early experiences I became very good at painting
expressive linework.
Fonts are a real art form.......most people take fonts for granted.
Without the right fonts, a lot of publications and what we're used to
seeing would fall flat.
How fortunate for you to have such great experience as a graphic
designer and working so closely with typography.
When I was at Syracuse University's School of Art as an illustration
major.....I was required to take a class in typography and learn to set
type properly as well as being able to paint perfect signage.
Computers came in a short time later forever changing all that hand work
and I'm so glad......then I some classes in desktop publishing!
One brief job I had in an art dept was having to do graphic design,
laying out pages of a large manual, boy, it took hours and hours to do
by hand!
I've not seen the French stitched calligraphy designs you mention but I
can imagine how beautiful they look as I've seen fine examples of
stitched text in various embroideries.
What a super idea embroidering on different pieces and types of fabrics
to add to the whole needlework! I can visualize some good ideas already!
One thing I'd like to do is an alphabet......I have a children's
Halloween Alphabet worked out so far but haven't polished up the project
yet.
Somerset Studio is my MOST favorite magazine.......during several
hospitalizations, I took a stack of these with me and read them from
cover to cover........I've been getting these issues along with the
publishers other paper art publications for many years now.
I subscribe to their latest mag, Art Doll Quarterly where they show some
of the most wonderful imaginatively made figures, exceptional eye candy
and fantastic design ideas to think about.
The process and techniques shown in all these publications is what
interests me.......I love mixed media art and intergrating needlework
with the "paper arts" really excites my designer's heart!!
I'm so glad you posted! You've givem me a lot of inspiration!
Your knitting project sounds fun, a good way to use up all those extra
balls of yarns and having a unique vest to show for the time!
Wish there was some extra hours someplace because there are a couple of
sweaters I'd like to knit for myself!
lula
and transfers, etc. I've already purchased a couple of packs of ink jet
and laser print paper fabrics to experiment with.
I'd like to use some of my own artwork, full illustrations along with
small motifs to embellish as well as creating effects in collage work.
Since we did a lot of desktop publishing in the past, we have huge
library of Adobe fonts and others. Photoshop and Illustrator are two
apps (Mac) I've worked with but never tried MS Word for anything
creative.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
anne
> and transfers, etc. I've already purchased a couple of packs of ink jet
> and laser print paper fabrics to experiment with.
> I'd like to use some of my own artwork, full illustrations along with
> small motifs to embellish as well as creating effects in collage work.
Are you using something other than iron on transfer paper? If so, could you
point me to a source?
FWIW, I've used several brands of the transfer paper which enabled me to get a
lot of details to stitch over. The downside was that the paper left a waxy
finish on the cloth which cracked with handling.
> Since we did a lot of desktop publishing in the past, we have huge
> library of Adobe fonts and others. Photoshop and Illustrator are two
> apps (Mac) I've worked with but never tried MS Word for anything
> creative.
Although I've got Photoshop, I use PaintShop Pro from Jasc to modify and layout
my stuff. I avoid M$ products whenever possible <eg>
--
another Anne, add ingers to frugalf to reply
Bungadora
her books. One, unfortunately, uses an old style photocopier that uses dry
toner. The photocopy is laid face down on the fabric, wetted with turpentine,
and then burnished with a spoon. I've wondered if an ink jet picture might work
with this(?). I suppose the only way to find out is to try. Based on my
experience with decoupaging the ink in ink jet printed images becomes extremely
liquid quite quickly, so it either might work really well, or else smear all
over heck.
The other method mentioned is to iron the fabric onto waxed butcher paper and
then print your image onto it by running it through the printer. I haven't had
the nerve to try this yet. Someone on the board once mentioned that there are
now fabric-like sheets that can be purchased and which are made to run through
a printer, but I haven't heard any reports of how they work or where to ge
them.
Dora
> lula wooly...@earthlink.net
lula
I purchased several types of computer print out or transfer packages
from the local JoAnn's Superstore during one of their 50% off all quilt
notions sales......a couple of the packages feature some type of thin
fabric sheets......I haven't tried any of these things out yet due to
lack of time but think these items should work out pretty well as I've
seen the results featured in magazine articles.
This is a good way to reproduce antique looking images like those
cigarette silks and other decorative antique fabrics......for me, it'd
be super to use some of my full color Halloween illustrations to work
over with stitches and embellishments to create a really interesting
looking mixed media collage. Similar to those antique crazy quilted
pieces but I my piece would have a modern twist to it.
Some design elements is adding decorative text using interesting fonts
too........
For embellishments, I'd like to use some of those common old
mother-of-pearl buttons for a border perhaps or else print or stitch a
black & white checked border, also use mini M-O-P carved moons and stars
buttons, tiny brass star charms, glittery beads to enhance areas....I
have some vintage 20's, cut glass seed beads I've been wanting to use on
a project......gosh, there are so many wonderful things I could do with
this piece!!! It's a pleasure just to visualize and plan out a project
like this!
Hahaha, the problem is to be able to make what I see into a tangible
piece.
Too bad about the waxy build up, wonder if there's a practical way to
remove or lessen the waxy finish.
Overall, the only way to know what might work best is going to be
through trial and error......we also have different printer models to
deal with too.
Well, it'll be awhile before I'll be able to work with this idea but I
have it written in my design journal among a "million" other design
plans.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Marjorie Holme
print directly to your fabric---you don't iron it on (you iron the
treated fabric onto freezer paper to allow it to go through the printer
and you iron the printed product to set the colors but the image is
direct to fabric. So words come out the right way and there is virtually
no change to the hand of the fabric.
I use Word primarily because that's what I have. I've learned to do a
lot with it. (I just made up wedding place cards for a coworker with a
border and shadowed script initials overprinted by guest names done as a
Word merge from a spreadsheet.) I have photoshop but haven't had time
(or need) to really explore it---when I have a task to do I figure that
out but I just don't make the time to play. Marjorie
lula
pointer.
There are several books on the market that deal with transferring images
to cloth.......such a book titled Complex Cloth.
Ink jet (I think this is the one) is notoriously poor as it smears. We
do a lot of repros of my work for samples on the printers and one of
these inks smears....so we've switched to another printer.......since I
don't do this part, I don't have the info at hand.
Also, I do have the computer print packages that came with thin fabric
sheets but haven't tried them out yet.......hopefully these will be just
what I want as I mentioned in another post about this subject.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
anne
> from the local JoAnn's Superstore during one of their 50% off all quilt
> notions sales......a couple of the packages feature some type of thin
> fabric sheets......I haven't tried any of these things out yet due to
> lack of time but think these items should work out pretty well as I've
> seen the results featured in magazine articles.
I missed those fabric sheets but I've got myself scheduled to visit Joanne's
sometime this week.
> Hahaha, the problem is to be able to make what I see into a tangible
> piece.
the story of my life ;-)
emerald
"Bungadora" <bung...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:20040323112133...@mb-m18.aol.com...
<snip> Someone on the board once mentioned that there are
> now fabric-like sheets that can be purchased and which are made to run
through
> a printer, but I haven't heard any reports of how they work or where to ge
> them.
Try a quilting store. Many people are making "memory quilts" which involves
transferring photos to fabric which is then incorporated into a quilt.
For an on-line source you could try "A Great Notion" in Surrey, BC.
www.agreatnotion.com
Not affiliated etc.
emerald